Futures Development Program

Minnesota Hockey announced today the launch of registration for the Minnesota Hockey Futures Development Program. This new program aims to aid players, coaches, and families across the state who are searching for an off-season development-based offering that would be open to all players with 2009 to 2012 birth years. (2009-2010 15U, 2011-2012 13U)

Following research and collaboration from Hockey Directors around the state, The Futures Development Program – a 13U program (for girls and boys) and a 15U program (boys and girls combined) with development at the core of the curriculum – was created. This program is available to age-eligible players across the state on a first-come, first-served basis and will be run through the athletes’ respective home Districts (based on residence). Early registration is encouraged as spots are limited in each district.

The cost of the Program is $400 per player, which covers the on-ice development and competition elements listed below as well as a jersey and socks. Registration for the program can be found here for boys and here for girls. When registering, you will be prompted to sign into your SportsEngine account. If you do not already have one, please create one and then proceed with registration.

“After years of research and development, we are thrilled to bring the Futures Development Program to life,” said Minnesota Hockey’s Vice President of Hockey Operations, Jeremy Reed. “The program will provide access to any player and will feature top of the line coaching, regardless of a player’s ability, experience or home district. The Futures Development Program will combine the best curriculum of USA Hockey, coupled with instruction from a variety of qualified, trained, and dedicated coaches.”

The developmentally-oriented curriculum has been spearheaded by USA Hockey’s Player Development Team and will be administered by each District’s respective coaching staff. The program is designed to promote functional skills to support athletes’ success at “the next level” and beyond. As such, the framework includes curriculum devoted to skating, stick skills/puck control, spatial reads/awareness, angling, competitive contact, goaltending, defensive and offensive tactics, etc.; and the program will include competitive opportunities highlighted below.

• Timeframe: March 25th to May 19th (date of first practice might vary depending on District).
• Developmental ice: 13 hours (typically two hours per week at the locations illustrated below.
• Competition ice:
• 3v3 Jamboree (April 19-21 for 13U teams, May 3-5 for 15U teams) and 5v5 Festival (which will conclude the program on May 17-19 for 13U teams, May 24-26 for 15U Teams) – co-located at Minnetonka (Pagel Ice Arena) and Bemidji (Sanford Power Rink).
• While these events will take place over a weekend, each athlete’s competition schedule will be consolidated into a single day.
• Districts 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10 to play in Minnetonka.
• Districts 11, 12, 15, and 16 to play in Bemidji.

As the program is fairly broad to accommodate players from a variety of playing backgrounds, Districts will have some flexibility in administering the program in a method that best fits their players’ specific needs. As an example, during development sessions, there is likely to be some player stratification so that athletes are competing with and against similar athletes to optimize their developmental sessions. Fundamentally, this program is intended to provide a great developmental opportunity without compromising kids’ ability to participate in other sports or activities. (Kids shouldn’t be afraid to miss some practices/competitions if there are conflicts with other Spring sports/activities.)

In addition, Minnesota Hockey will host informational Zoom sessions in advance of program commencement which will be made available through your respective District website and general manager(s).

District 8 is attempting to host two teams (40 players total), at the 13U level for both boys and girls and will be hosting one team (20 players total), at the 15U level which will be combined boys and girls for the 2024 Program.

All practice ice sessions will be held at Doug Woog Arena in South Saint Paul.

*Schedule may be subjected to change*